Pallet or skid for handling materials



"Aug. 24, 1948. B E 2,447,556

PALLET- on SKID FOR HANDLING MATERIALS 1 Filed June 5, 1947 INVENTOR.

" Y (gm 2M- ATTORN EY annular member 8.

Patented Aug. 24, 1948 PALLET on SKID FOR HANDLING MATERIALS Dewey H.Bitney, Albion, Mich., assignor to Union Steel Products Company, Albion,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 5, 1947, Serial No.752,751 7 Claims. (01'. 248-120) This invention relates to improvementsin pallets or skids for handling materials.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a pallet or skid for handling materials well adaptedfor use with lifting trucks of the forked type.

Second, to provide a pallet or skid which while formed of relativelylight stock is strong and rigid.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. 1 is an inverted plan view of a pallet or skid embodying myinvention, only a portion of the top or platform being illustrated ordeveloped in the drawing.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical fragmentary section on a linecorresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in vertical sectionillustrating further details of the structure.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the legs.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises a top or deckdesignated generally by the numeral l and comprising an upper series ofparallel light rod or wire slats 2 and a lower series of parallel lightrod or wire slats 3, these slats being welded together at theircrossingpoints as best shown at 4 in Fig. 4.

The legs designated generally by the numeral 5 are positioned at thecorners, the sides or intermediate the corners and at the center. Asthese legs are all alike a description of a single leg will suffice. v

Each leg comprises a top annular member 6, a bottom annular member I andan intermediate These are connected in spaced relation by the uprightvertical rods 9, the rods being welded to the horizontal members, asindicated at I0. g

The bottom rods ii are arranged in spaced pairs, desirably over thebottom horizontal memher 'I of the legs and welded thereto as indicatedat i2, the bottom rods being welded to each other as indicated at l3.The superimposed rods are upwardly offset at I3 so that their reaches l5between the legs are in substantially the horizontal plane of thebottom'members of the legs.

The legs are preferably positioned at the corners intermediate thecorners and centrally of 2 t the top or deck even when it is formed ofrelatively light gauge stock. Further, the legs are spaced to receivethe forks of a lifting truck between them when presented from any one ofthe sides or even diagonally.

The legs are well adapted to withstand blows delivered thereto from thefork of a lifting truck carelessly handled. Such shocks are welldistributed and also the legs being circular in general outline tend todeflect such blows.

The structure is strong and rigid and the legs are well adapted tosupport one pallet upon another; also to resist wracking strains andstresses.

I have illustrated and described a highly practical embodiment of theinvention. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe otheradaptations or embodiments as it is believed that this disclosure willenable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention asmaybe desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is: I

1. In a pallet, the combination of a top comprising upper and lowerseries of wire slats disposed in crossed relation and welded at theircrossing points, corner, intermediate and center legs comprising top,bottom and intermediate vertically spaced annular horizontal members,the

top member being split, and vertical rods welded to the horizontalmembers, the top horizontal members being welded to the lower series oftop slats, and pairs of bottom rods arranged in spaced pairs and incrossing relation over the bottom horizontal members of the legs andwelded thereto and to each other at their crossing points.

2. In a pallet, the combination of a top comprising upper and lowerseries of wire slats disposed in crossed relation and welded at theircrossing points, legs comprising top, bottom and intermediate verticallyspaced annular horizontal members, the top member being split, andvertical rodswelded to the horizontal members, the top horizontalmembers being welded to the lower series of top slats, and rods arrangedin crossing relation over the bottom horizontal members, of the legs andwelded thereto and to each other at their crossing points.

3. In a pallet, the combination of a top comprising upper and lowerseries of wire slats disposed in crossed relation and welded at theircrossing points, legs comprising top, bottom and intermediate verticallyspaced annular horizontal members, and vertical rods welded to thehorizontal members, the top horizontal members the deck. This providesan effective supp rt for being welded to the lower series of top slats,and

rods arranged in crossing relation over the bottom horizontal members orthe legs and welded thereto and to each other at their crossing points.

4. In a pallet, the combination of a top, corner, intermediate andcenter less therefor comprising top. bottom and intermediate verticallyspaced annular horizontal members, and vertical rods welded to thehorizontal members, and pairs of bottom rods arranged in spaced pairsand in crossing relation over the bottom horizontal members oi the legsand secured thereto.

5. In a pallet, the combination of a top,'corner, intermediate andcenter legs therefor comprising top, bottom and intermediate verticallyspaced annular horizontal members," and vertical rods weldedto thehorizontal members, and bottom rods arranged in crossing relation overthe bottom horizontal members or the legs and secured thereto. a

s. In a pallet, the combination of a top, legs

